Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971 Tamla First Pressing)

If there is one album that changed the course of popular music, soul, and the entire Motown empire in a single stroke, it is Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. Released on May 21, 1971, on the Tamla label (catalog number TS-310), this record was a radical departure from the hit factory formula that had defined Motown for a decade. It was deeply personal, politically charged, and musically groundbreaking. And for vinyl collectors, the original first pressing is one of the most coveted records in the soul and R&B canon.

Why This Record Matters

Before What's Going On, Motown was a singles-driven label. Artists recorded what the producers and songwriters gave them, and albums were often loosely assembled collections of hits and filler. Marvin Gaye shattered that model. Inspired by conversations with his brother Frankie, who had returned from Vietnam, and by the social upheaval of the late 1960s, Gaye crafted a seamless, concept-driven album that addressed war, poverty, ecology, and urban despair.

The album spawned three consecutive Top 10 pop singles: the title track, "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)," and "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)." It became Motown's best-selling album up to that point and was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2003. Rolling Stone has consistently ranked it among the greatest albums ever made, placing it at number one on their 2020 list.

For collectors, owning an original 1971 Tamla first pressing is like holding a piece of musical history in your hands.

The Story Behind the Album

The genesis of "What's Going On" (the song) came from Renaldo "Obie" Benson of the Four Tops, who had witnessed police brutality at an anti-war rally in Berkeley, California. He and Motown songwriter Al Cleveland wrote the song, but when Benson's bandmates turned it down, he offered it to Marvin Gaye during a golf game.

Gaye reworked the song, adding his own lyrics and that signature floating vocal style. When he presented the finished track to Motown founder Berry Gordy, the reaction was famously negative. Gordy thought it was uncommercial and refused to release it. Gaye reportedly told Gordy he would not record another note for the label until the single came out. Gordy relented, the single was released in January 1971, and it shot to number one on the R&B charts and number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Emboldened by its success, Gaye recorded the full album in just ten days at Hitsville U.S.A. and Golden World studios in Detroit. The result was a work that flowed like a continuous suite, with songs bleeding into each other, layered with lush orchestration, jazz inflections, and multiple vocal overdubs.

Identifying a True First Pressing

The first pressing of What's Going On has several distinguishing features that collectors should know:

Label Details: The original Tamla label for this pressing features the classic brown and gold Tamla design with the "T" logo in a circle at the top. The catalog number on the label reads T-310, while the cover spine shows TS-310 (the "S" indicating stereo). This discrepancy between cover and label is actually a hallmark of the true first pressing.

Vinyl Type: The earliest copies were pressed on Motown's "Dynaflex" vinyl, which is noticeably thinner and more flexible than standard pressings. While some collectors view Dynaflex negatively for sound quality, it is an important authentication marker for early Motown pressings from this era.

Gatefold Cover: The first pressing features a gatefold sleeve with liner notes inside. The cover photo shows Gaye in a raincoat in the rain. Look for crisp printing with good color saturation.

Matrix Numbers: Check the dead wax (the area between the last groove and the label). First pressings will show matrix numbers beginning with A4RS-2682 (Side 1) and A4RS-2684 (Side 2). Hand-etched matrix numbers are typical of early pressings. Stamped matrix numbers indicate later pressings.

Inner Sleeve: Original copies came with a Motown inner sleeve featuring advertisements for other Motown releases current at the time of pressing.

How to Spot Later Pressings and Reissues

Later pressings may feature different label designs as Motown updated its branding over the years. The Tamla label went through several color scheme changes. Any copy with a different label color or logo style than the brown/gold design is a later pressing.

Reissues from the 1980s and beyond typically use heavier vinyl (not Dynaflex), updated label designs, and may include additional liner notes or different cover photography. The 2008 remaster on 180-gram vinyl and the 2021 50th Anniversary edition (mastered by Kevin Gray) are widely available and sound excellent, but they are not first pressings.

Condition Grades and What They Mean

Vinyl records are graded using the Goldmine Standard, which applies separately to the record itself and the cover:

Mint (M): Perfect, unplayed condition. For a 1971 pressing, this is extraordinarily rare and would likely mean a sealed copy.

Near Mint (NM): Nearly perfect with only the most minor signs of handling. The record plays flawlessly with no surface noise beyond what is inherent in the pressing. The cover shows minimal wear.

Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows some signs of play and handling but still sounds excellent. Light surface marks that do not affect playback significantly. Cover may have slight ring wear or minor edge wear.

Very Good (VG): Noticeable surface marks and some audible surface noise during quiet passages. Cover shows clear wear including ring wear, seam splitting, or writing. Generally worth 10 to 15 percent of Near Mint value.

Good (G): Heavy wear, significant surface noise, but still plays through without skipping. Cover is heavily worn. Worth about 5 to 10 percent of Near Mint value.

Current Market Values

Prices for the original 1971 Tamla first pressing of What's Going On vary significantly based on condition:

Condition	Estimated Value
Mint (M) / Sealed	$800 - $1,500+
Near Mint (NM)	$300 - $600
Very Good Plus (VG+)	$100 - $250
Very Good (VG)	$40 - $100
Good (G)	$15 - $40

Exceptional copies with provenance (for example, promotional copies or those with verified early matrix numbers) can command premiums above these ranges. Mono pressings, if they exist for this title, would be extremely rare and valuable, though What's Going On was primarily a stereo release.

What to Look for When Buying

Ask for matrix number photos. The dead wax tells the story. Hand-etched markings with the correct A4RS prefix are essential for confirming a first pressing.

Check the vinyl thickness. If the seller describes the record as "heavy" or "180 gram," it is not a first pressing. Dynaflex vinyl is thin and flexible.

Examine the label carefully. The brown and gold Tamla design with the T/TS catalog number discrepancy is your primary visual identifier.

Listen before you buy (if possible). Surface noise is the enemy of value. A record that looks VG+ but plays with excessive noise is really a VG.

Beware of cleaned records. Ultrasonic cleaning can dramatically improve surface noise but cannot repair groove damage. A cleaned record may look and play better than its wear suggests, which is generally a positive, but be aware that heavy cleaning marks (swirl patterns) can be a sign of aggressive treatment.

Buy the record, not the cover. For a playable collectible, the vinyl condition matters more than the cover. A NM record in a VG+ cover is a better buy than a VG record in a NM cover for most collectors.

This is an iconic album that belongs in every serious vinyl collection. Whether you are a soul music devotee, a Motown historian, or simply someone who appreciates one of the most important artistic statements of the 20th century, the original Tamla first pressing of What's Going On is a record worth seeking out.

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